Balloon Boy's Dad Still Says Stunt Was No Hoax (VIDEO)

The public was shouting “hoax” shortly after the balloon hit the ground, and his own son confirmed that they “did it for the show” on national TV.

But even after pleading guilty to a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant, Balloon Boy dad Richard Heene told Larry King Live that he never intentionally deceived the public. He really believed that his six-year-old son, Falcon, was floating away in that balloon.

Where are Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers when you need them? Because … really? Still fighting that fight, Richard Heene? Really?

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden doesn’t believe him. “Quite honestly, I’m shocked that he would make such statements,” he told CNN. “The evidence against Mr. Heene and Mayumi at this point is really overwhelming. There is no doubt in my mind that this thing was a hoax, and I really doubt that there’s very few people in America who don’t understand at this point that this was an elaborate hoax perpetrated by Richard and Mayumi.”

But Heene says he plead guilty only to keep his family intact, saying that his wife’s immigration status left her vulnerable to deportation to Japan. And he blames Falcon’s own admission that “you said we did this for the show” on the boy’s poor English skills and the sudden influx of media surrounding his family.

Watch Richard Heene test his acting skills while telling Larry King how he “knew” the boy was in the balloon because he “visualized” it below. The entire interview with Larry King will air Friday night.

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